Cheap Dress Socks

Buying cheap dress socks that don’t fall apart can be challenging unless you know what to look for. This cheap dress sock buyer’s guide will show you all you need to know about different types of dress socks, what the best cheap dress sock materials are, as well as a look at the top cost-effective dress sock features.

Different Types of Dress Socks

Dress socks are often distinguished by their length or by their most prominent characteristics.

Types of Dress Socks by Length:

No Show Socks – These are dress socks that sit below the ankle and are often preferred by women, but athletic men like to use them too to enhance their running performance.

Ankle Socks – Ankle socks sit at the ankle, only just covering it. These are great for those that get too hot on summer days but enjoy wearing a pair of long pants with sneakers.

Quarter Length Socks – Quarter length socks rest about an inch above the ankle, at the quarter mark of the calf.

Mid Calf Length Socks – As the name suggests, mid-calf length socks rest halfway between the ankle and the knee. These are the preferred dress socks of choice by professionals, as they tend to stay up the best.

Knee High Socks – Knee high socks rest comfortably under the knee and feel very secure. When combined with compression (see below) they can become very effective at enhancing your daily energy levels.

Types of Dress Socks by Characteristic:

Compression Socks – Compression socks gently compress around various areas of the feet and sometimes the leg, causing these areas to rely on microcirculation. This enhances blood flow, increases energy levels, reduces foot pains and prevents pooling in the feet.

Toeless Socks – Toeless socks end in a band around the forefoot and do not cover the toes. These are good if you experience pain in your feet but not if your toes get cold on a frequent basis!

Hoisery – Hosiery socks are essentially stockings that are at the length of socks. Many women find they prefer to wear these to work instead of wearing full leg stockings.

Diabetic Socks – Diabetic socks are not restrictive and allow for toes to wiggle without binding them. They are also softer and often have padding on the underside of the feet to protect from diabetic neuropathy.

Toe Socks – Toe socks are the opposite to toeless socks, having a separate compartment for each toe. These are like gloves for your feet where most ordinary socks are like mittens for them.

Best Dress Sock Materials

The best materials that cheap dress socks are made from will be a combination of quality natural fibers blended with synthetic ones.

Best Natural Fibers:

Cotton – Cotton is a great all natural fiber, being soft, lightweight, breathable and moisture wicking. Cotton is one of the most popular sock materials and has been since socks started being made.

Wool – Wool is perfect for living in a cold climate. It will keep your feet warm, regulate temperature, wick moisture away and allows your skin to breath. An added benefit of wool that is little known is that is is antimicrobial too!

Rayon – Rayon is a natural fiber that is made from bamboo, which has many of the same properties as cotton. Bamboo is believed to be more eco-friendly as it does not need as much water to grow and harvest as cotton.

Best Synthetic Fibers:

Polyester – Polyester refers to a blend of synthetic fibers and is usually very soft and durable.

Nylon – Nylon was the first synthetic material to have been invented and it is still one of the most durable. Nylon can be spun incredibly fine and made into very smooth materials like the sheer material that hosiery stockings are made from.

Spandex – Spandex is a synthetic fiber that gives all our clothing items their stretchy properties. Spandex can also be called Elastane or Lycra.

Acrylic – Acrylic is a synthetic version of wool fibers and is used in combination with wool to enhance durability, fix in colours better and to allow the wool to last longer without shrinking in the wash.

Top Cheap Dress Sock Features

Here are some of the best features found in budget friendly dress socks.

Seamless – Seamless socks feel incredibly comfortable! These are socks that do not have a seam, which is the number one cause of blisters and friction inside shoes.

Ribbed – A ribbed stitch design (not a printed on pattern) will help to regulate your temperature inside the socks and allow for better breathability.

Non Binding – Non binding socks do not have elastic bands to hold them up and are suitable for diabetics to use.

Breathable – Breathable socks are very important, particularly if you are looking at the lower price ranges of dress socks. A breathable sock will allow for moisture to be wicked away faster and prevent excessive perspiration which can cause blisters or foot infections.

Stretchy – The more stretchy the sock is, the better it will fit and the more comfortable it will be. Look for higher percentages of spandex in the socks composition.

Cheap Dress Sock Reviews

In this section we have reviewed some fabulous cost effective dress socks that are available in cheap bulk orders.